Google Looking To Offer Original Content on YouTube

Google owned video sharing platform YouTube is reportedly planning to offer original content on the platform in order to draw viewers.

Citing people familiar with the matter, The Wall Street Journal reported that the company is planning to spend more than $100 million on producing original content for the platform.

Google plans to turn YouTube into a next generation cable provider which will offer more than a dozen channels that offer free content to users. Offering original content will not only help the company in attracting more viewers on the web, but also those who view content online from their connected TV sets.

A huge number of viewership would mean advertisement revenue. Sources told WSJ that Google would earn the money invested via advertisement revenue initially and will later share the advertisement revenue with content providers.

The company is in talks with several content providers include popular skateboarder Tony Hawk and other well known personalities. Google is also talking with Warner Bros., News Corp.’s ShineReveille and RTL Group's FremantleMedia Ltd. among others to produce content for YouTube.

“We don't comment on rumour or speculation, but we're always talking to content creators and curators of all kinds about building audiences on YouTube,” a YouTube spokesperson said in a statement.